Minutes of a committee meeting held in the Comrades Club on 7th April 2010
Present: Alan Grunwald, Alan Parker, Lyn Morton, Arthur Jones, Gaye Kyle, Stan Powell, Keith Robbins
Apologies: Avis Roberts
The organisation of the heats for the National and County pairs was discussed. The committee thought that dividing the National Pairs heat according to which pairs did or did not wish to go forward to the regional finals had not been a success – only 8 of 17 pairs had opted to go forward and in consequence only 3 pairs from the club had qualified. In order to encourage participation and allow the maximum number of pairs the opportunity to expand their game by playing in a higher level competition, future heats would be run along the lines used in previous years i.e. most pairs would be entered in the National Pairs and would pay the entry fee. If any pair finishing in a qualifying position did not wish to play in the regional final then they need not and a reserve pair might play. The only exception to this would be for pairs who had, or who genuinely intended to play in another heat; such pairs might play without standing, but unless there were three or more pairs, they would not be eligible for any master points.
The proposed talk by Ed Scerri in March 2010 had been cancelled due to lack of support.
Gaye Kyle suggested a bridge open evening run on a pro-am basis including a talk plus 16 boards to be played. It was considered that this was a good idea and a suggested date for this event was Wednesday 25th August. (New committee to make decision).
Wantage would no longer organise Ridgeway Cup matches due to lack of interest shown by some clubs. Newbury B.C. may try to organise a similar competition.
A complaint had been made about the standard of lighting in parts of the bridge room. Alan Parker will discuss the matter with the Comrades Club steward.
The financial state of the club was satisfactory - £154 profit was made over the year. The loan for the Bridgemate system had now been repaid. We have 54 paid-up members.
The A team had one match to play in Division 2. We need at least 3 VPs to avoid relegation. The B team had finished their matches ending in 3rd place in Division 5. The committee expressed their thanks to Keith Robbins and Lyn Morton.
New system introduced on April 1st. The OBA levy will be 3p/player/session, with an additional 29p/player/session for the EBU. Alan Grunwald thought that this will equate roughly with the money the club pays for master points (now discontinued).
Currently we have no firm date for cup presentation at the end of the season. It was agreed that we should ensure that this should take place early in February with the date being given on the club website.
It was agreed that the criteria for the Improvers Cup should be changed. Possibly it could be presented to the pair who gained most local points – it should be limited to those below a rank chosen by the next committee.
It was agreed that we should continue to run the A and B teams next season. However there are some players who would like to play teams but are not selected. The size of such a potential pool should be investigated – we may have enough interest to consider a C team.
The current version of these was discussed and minor alterations were agreed. Alan Grunwald would put the amended regulations on the club website at the same time as these minutes.
There has been a complaint about a mobile phone ringing during play causing a distraction. Except in a possible emergency situation all phones should be switched off.
If a phone rings please call the director at once.
Alan Parker is retiring as Secretary after 10 years in the post. Keith Robbins suggested that he should become a Life Member and this was agreed by the committee and it was decided to announce this at the AGM.
This will be held on Tuesday 3rd August in the Comrades Club at 7.30.
Alan Parker (Hon. Secretary)